Exports from Bulgaria in January to April 2018 were 3.5 per cent higher than in the first four months of 2017, and added up to 16.6 billion leva, the National Statistical Institute (NSI) said on June 11, citing preliminary figures.

In April 2018, Bulgaria's total exports - meaning, to both non-EU and fellow EU countries - added up to 4.1 billion leva, about 6.8 per cent higher than in April 2017, the NSI said.

The total value of all goods imported into Bulgaria in January - April 2018 amounted to 19 731.8 million leva (at CIF prices), or 5.8 per cent more than January - April 2017.

In April 2018, total imports increased by 6.2 per cent compared to April 2017 and added up to 4973.4 million leva.

The total foreign trade balance (exports FOB - import CIF) was negative in the period January - April 2018 and amounted to 3 098.6 million leva, the NSI said.

At FOB/FOB prices (after elimination of transport and insurance costs on imports) in the period January - April 2018, the total foreign trade balance was also negative and added up to 1851.8 million leva.

In April 2018 the total foreign trade balance (exports FOB - import CIF) was negative and added up to 800.7 million leva. The trade balance at FOB/FOB prices was also negative and amounted to 512.8 million leva.

In the period January - April 2018, Bulgarian exports to third countries decreased by 15.6 per cent in comparison with the same period of 2017 and added up to 4 774.4 million leva.

Among non-EU countries, Bulgaria's main trading partners were Turkey, China, Serbia, the Republic of fYROMacedonia, the Russian Federation and the United States which accounted for 55 per cent of the exports to non-EU countries.

In April 2018, Bulgarian exports to third countries decreased by 9.7 per cent compared to the corresponding month of the previous year and amounted to 1 274.6 million leva.

Bulgarian imports from third countries in the period January - April 2018 decreased by 2.3 per cent in comparison with the same period of 2017 and added up to 6 712.4 million leva (at CIF prices).

The largest amounts were reported for goods imported from the Russian Federation, Turkey, China and Serbia.

In April 2018, Bulgarian imports from third countries increased by three per cent compared to the corresponding month of the previous year and amounted to 1 757.5 million leva.

The foreign trade balance of Bulgaria (export FOB - import CIF) with third countries in the period January - April 2018 was negative and added up to 1 938.0 million leva.

The trade balance at FOB/FOB prices (after elimination of transport and insurance costs on imports) was also negative and amounted to 1 452.2 million leva.

In April 2018, the foreign trade balance of Bulgaria (export FOB - import CIF) with third countries was negative and amounted to 482.9 million leva, the NSI said.... / IBNA